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Compatible Lenses for Canon Rebel DSLRs

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If you recently got a new Canon Rebel DSLR or you have been using one for a while now and have not learned all the ins and outs of the system, that’s ok. There is a lot to learn and it can take years to master it all.

Canon-lenses

This rundown of the acronyms, symbols and designations appearing on your cameras and lenses will help you better understand what they mean and give you some insight in what to look for in your next lens. Additionally, we break down the different categories of compatible lenses and list the current offerings below.

Canon Rebel Series Common Acronyms and Abbreviations

DSLR – References Digital Single-Lens Reflex cameras, which is an extension of the old SLR term from the film days referring to a Single-Lens Reflex camera. The key distinguishing factor among DSLRs is the presence of a reflex mirror that sits in front of the image sensor to reflect the image from the lens through an optical viewfinder. When the shutter is pressed, the mirror flips up out of the way and the shutter of the camera opens to expose light to the image sensor.

Dual Pixel CMOS AF – A focusing technology that uses special AF sensors on the pixels of recent Canon cameras to allow for smoother and more accurate autofocus during live view and video capture. You can read more about the benefits of Dual Pixel CMOS AF in my Canon 70D Review, which was the first DSLR to feature the technology.

EOS –  The Canon EOS system was born in 1987 with the very first EOS film SLR, the Canon EOS 650. All modern day Canon SLRs or DSLRs are EOS cameras. EOS is an acronym for Electro-Optical System and also references the Titan goddess of dawn in Greek mythology, Eos. Interestingly, the Canon brand name originated from Kwanon, the Buddist Goddess of Mercy.

Cinema EOS – The Canon Cinema EOS system was introduced in 2011 with the Canon EOS C300. It is a system of professional-grade video cameras that use the same lens mount found on Canon EOS DSLRs. These very expensive lenses and probably aren’t the best choice for Rebel users but they are still listed below for reference. Go ahead and click-through on some of the zoom models to see what I mean.

EF & EF-S Lenses – Go read this article explaining the differences between EF and EF-S lenses. Canon Rebel models are compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses. Additionally, the special use lenses listed below are also compatible with Canon Rebel DSLRs.

f/ number – When listed on a lens model name, this number is used to designate the maximum lens aperture, which affects the amount of light that can come in through the lens and the ability to blur the background for flattering portraits.  The lower the number, the brighter the lens. Lower is generally better.  Zoom lenses can have a range for the max f-stop, which changes depending on the focal length.

IS – Image Stabilizer – A gyro inside the lens senses shake or vibrations and moves the glasses elements inside in order to compensate for the camera shake and produce sharper images.

L – Designation for Canon’s professional line of lenses.  While more expensive than consumer-grade lenses, these are compatible with Canon Rebel cameras and all use the Canon EF mount.

MM – millimeter – The focal length of lenses is measured in millimeters.  Zoom lenses are designated with a range of millimeters, such as 18-55mm.

Macro – Macro lenses are great for shooting close-ups of small objects like bugs and flowers with incredible magnification power. A Macro designation generally means that the lens has a short minimum focus distance, which means you can get closer to your subject. Accordingly, the subject will take up more of your frame.

STM – Stepping Motor – The inclusion of the STM motor allows the camera to focus smoothly and quietly while shooting video and particularly so when using Canon DSLRs equipped with Dual Pixel AF systems. This motor also allows quick AF speeds during still image capture.

USM – Ultrasonic Motor – The inclusion of an ultrasonic motor makes the lens focusing fast and quiet.

Here is a rundown of available lenses for the Canon EOS system. I will try to keep this current with periodic updates. If you see a glaring omission, please let me know. Each of these lenses links to the product page at B&H Photo, which is a trusted retail affiliate of Photography Bay.

Canon EF-S Lenses

Canon EF Consumer Lenses

Canon EF Professional Lenses

Canon Cinema Prime Lenses

Canon Cinema Zoom Lenses

Canon Special Use Lenses

In addition to Canon lenses, there are a number of third-party manufacturers which make compatible lenses for the Canon Rebel series.  Check back here for a complete breakdown of abbreviations and acronyms from other lens manufacturers in the near future.

 

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